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Clutching a brown paper bag, the sound of a crash stops Steve mid-stride. He turns in the direction and hastens his pace toward it. Ignoring traffic entirely as he weaves between vehicles with ease. His vision tunnels as he processes the site before him of what looks like a car chase. A vehicle is smoking from a crash into a cement barrier. In the middle of the street a man is about to be plowed down by an oncoming car.
All Steve sees is a civilian in need of saving.
He drops his bag without a care. The groceries that spill out don’t matter. He hops over a barrier. There’s yelling nearby, but he doesn’t process it. There’s something much more urgently in need of his attention. The car is mere feet from the man who for some reason isn’t moving. If anything it looks like he’s bracing for it. Steve feels puzzled for half a second before shoving that to the side. He tackles the guy out of the way at the last second. Cradling his head so it doesn’t hit the pavement. Steve hears the sound of the air being knocked out of him and the grunt that turns into a growl. The car passes them and stops. The door opens. Is this about to turn into a fight?
Steve pulls himself away so he is able to see the man’s face. Now on all fours above him, “Are you al-”
“CUT!” someone interrupts. Steve’s confusion from before slams back into him. As he looks down the street. There’s a bunch of people over there, along with equipment. He’d been so focused on saving a civilian that he had missed that entirely.
“How did he get onto set?”
“Let’s reset the shot!”
“Is that Captain America?”
“We gotta go again?”
People and parts start moving. Steve looks back down at the man below him.
“As nice of a view this is, would you mind?” His voice has a bit of a husky edge to it. His blue eyes twinkle mischievously. He’s holding what looks like a mouth guard in one hand.
Steve clears his throat to avoid stumbling over his words. Just now realizing that this is a rather compromising position. He knows his ears must be tinging pink if not his cheeks as well. He gets up with a steadying breath. He regains his composure, quickly. Offers a hand up. The other accepts, clasping on as Steve helps to haul him up. Once they are both standing another man approaches. He’s dressed casually with a cap and an earpiece.
“You good to go again, Colt?” he asks. Steve internally cheers. He’s got a name now at least. He doesn’t have to keep thinking of this person in vague terms. Colt throws up a thumbs up. “Captain America,” the newcomer holds out a hand to Steve. Steve accepts it with two shakes, “Andrew Kurtzman, director for this production.”
“I apologize for interrupting. I can be on my way shortly,” Steve goes to step away.
“You could stay. Make a little background cameo in the next shot to make up for it?” Andrew offers with a quirk of a brow. Steve looks around landing back at Colt. Colt just shrugs as if to say “Why not?”
Steve finds himself agreeing with that sentiment. It can’t hurt. He can’t say he isn’t a little curious about the shot he interrupted either. This is new territory for him. Was Colt really insane enough to let himself be intentionally hit by a car?
Turns out it's a lot more complicated than that. From the side lines Steve sees how it all comes together. It's all about timing and being able to react. Knowing how to land and protecting his head. Colt essentially rolls up the hood onto the window before falling off to the side. It still looks like it hurts. Sounds like it too even if Colt tried to stifle the groan, Steve had little problem hearing it. Cut is called once more before the director asks if Colt is okay.
Colt rolls onto his back and holds up another thumbs up. Must be a thing. As he stands back up he pulls out his mouthguard and pockets it. Colt walks over, smoothing out his clothing and brushing off some dirt.
“We got the shot?” Colt peeks over at the monitor as they review the footage. He sounds excited, smiling with pride. It must be infectious. Steve feels the corners of his mouth turn slightly upward.
“Looks like it. You can have a break for a couple shots. We can call you when we need you next,” Andrew looks over his shoulder from the monitor. “Maybe you can send Tom over for us?”
“No need, he’s right there,” Colt points down the street.
A man, Tom presumably, dressed in the exact same way as Colt struts over to them, “Shit Seavers. At least it wasn’t you slowing down filming this time.”
If it weren’t for the arrogance in his tone, Steve might’ve thought it was just friendly banter. Maybe it is. He doesn’t know their dynamic that well. Steve notices the way Colt gives Tom an entirely unimpressed look.
“Yeah, sure, Ryder. I’m the one who slows things down,” Colt returns. He lifts both hands to the side with a shrug and a slight shake of his head.
“Hey, don’t be like that,” Tom smirks.
“Like what?” Colt insists. Steve gets the feeling that Colt already knows how this script goes.
“It’s a joke, man. You don’t gotta be a bitch about it,” It’s said mockingly. The insult fully intended. Colt rolls his eyes. Like this is a regular occurrence.
Before Colt can respond, Steve interjects, “Language.”
He let the cussing go initially. Once it was aimed at someone though he can’t help but say something. Colt is hardly a… he doesn’t even feel comfortable thinking that word… anyway. Tom’s expression turns to one of shock. Colt on the other hand bends over with a laugh. The pride Steve feels for causing that is a welcome surprise.
A week has passed since the “language” incident. The thought of it still makes Colt chuckle. The look of bafflement on Tom’s face will probably stick with him forever. It's something that he will never be able to do. Colt has to stay in Tom’s good graces after all. A little banter is fine but he can’t outright reprimand him or fight with him if he wants to keep his job. Steve Rogers though, well worth getting tackled to have that man dish out a bit of scolding.
After what was a very busy and successful day of filming, Colt walks back to his hotel by himself. It's dark out, a bit late. Colt feels safe enough to handle himself in the city. The hotel isn’t that far anyway, just a few blocks. He was tired. Had been yawning. Almost fell asleep half way into his second drink. The choice to excuse himself felt appropriate.
A heated discussion down an alley makes him stop. The dim almost nonexistent lighting makes it difficult to see what is happening. He pulls out his phone and calls the cops immediately. Even if he doesn’t know the situation yet, it can’t hurt to call it in. The click of what sounds like a gun being cocked makes him hang up. He doesn’t know if he can wait any longer.
“Come on, Colt, what are you doing?” he thinks as he walks into the mouth of the alley. “I’m just gonna see if I can help, don’t be a chickenshit.”
He moves carefully and silently. It looks like an armed robbery. Best assumption he can make at least. There’s two guys with guns. That complicates things. Beyond them is a woman hiding behind none other than Captain America. He’s dressed casually, not in uniform. This was just a regular night for him. Interrupted by the unfortunate choices of other people. Captain is trying to de-escalate the situation. Get the guys to put down their weapons. Colt wonders why Cap hasn’t just tried to beat them up, but then takes better stock of the situation. Two guns and a civilian. If he were to try it there's a chance that one of them would shoot and hurt the woman he’s protecting. Now it's two on two though. Much better odds.
There’s a brief moment of eye contact. Captain keeps his expression stoic, but there’s recognition in his eyes. Colt wonders if he’s going to get a scolding later for what he is about to do. He doesn’t think he’ll mind it if he does.
“Cops are on the way fellas,” he makes his presence known. Maybe that will be enough to get them to stop and run away.
Apparently not.
Only one of them turns to face him, the other choosing to hold their ground. Colt holds his hands up in surrender. He gives Captain another look. The guy pointing a gun at him is spouting off some bullshit about how this is none of his business and how he should just leave. Colt doesn’t really feel like listening to that garbage. Colt at this moment wishes he could somehow communicate telepathically. Hopefully Captain can react appropriately when he makes his move.
Colt has done it a million times already. The gun is normally fake and loaded with blanks, but it's the same scenario otherwise. All it means is that the stakes are higher. Colt reaches forward. Pushes the arm holding the gun aside and yanks down. He drives his knee up into the wrist. The hand loosens and he grabs the gun out of the guy’s hand. Colt backs off, pulls the magazine from the firearm and tosses it away. Before putting the empty firearm into his jacket pocket.
In the time it takes for all that to happen Captain has already managed to pin the other guy down. He has nothing to restrain him with leaving him preoccupied and unable to readily assist Colt. That’s fine Colt can manage.
It doesn’t take long, though it does reward Colt with a cut on his cheek and a future bruise that will be fun tomorrow on his side. Colt knows how to toss a guy though and uses that to floor the attacker. Ending up with his knee pinning him down and using his hands to hold his wrists.
The sound of sirens finally heard in the near distance is a relief. Captain sends the woman, Melissa apparently, out to meet them. Captain must have found time to ask her name. Colt is really getting annoyed at the guy who is still trying, poorly, to wiggle out of his grip, “About time, damn.”
He doesn’t realize he’s said that out loud until Captain responds, “You’d be surprised how long they can take.”
The sirens must’ve been the last thing needed. It seems like the robbers have lost their resolve. Colt heaves a sigh. Melissa returns. The cops take over restraining the two would-be robbers. Colt and Steve both give statements. Colt turns over the empty gun during his own.
Steve walks with him once they are dismissed. Colt can practically feel him staring. Captain has a somewhat critical look, “That was a really dangerous move back there.”
“I think the words you’re actually looking for are ‘thank you,’ Captain,” Colt teases with a smirk. He’s very aware that things could’ve gone quite terribly. Regardless he feels no regrets for his actions.
“You can call me Steve. Allow me to escort you as thanks then,” Steve returns.
“You don’t have to, my hotel is just down the block,” Colt assures.
“I insist,” Steve says. “You should get that cut on your face fixed up.”
Colt reaches up to touch it. There’s a little blood but nothing serious. It's already pretty much crusted up. The make-up team isn’t going to be happy about it, but that’s a tomorrow problem.
“It’s fine, at ease soldier,” Colt winks. The look of surprise makes the embarrassing statement worth it. “I have a first-aid kit. I’ll deal with it before bed.”
They arrive at that moment at the hotel Colt is staying at. Colt wonders if he should invite him up. He kind of wants to. Is that too forward? This is only their second meeting. Colt isn’t even sure what he expects or wants anyway. Friends maybe? Can someone be friends with Captain fucking America? Surely it’s possible.
Steve opens the door for him, stepping aside to let him through.
“Hopefully next time we meet the circumstances are better,” he says as Colt steps past him. “Good night.”
The door shuts behind him. Colt turns and waves bidding his own farewell and Steve walks away. Some part of him is thankful that he didn’t have to make an awkward decision there. Another larger part feels loss at missing the opportunity.
Steve normally opts to work out inside. His preferred gym is often empty and quiet. Occasionally there’s a couple people running boxing drills, but that’s about it. The atmosphere is comforting. Old school in a way. They don’t mind if he breaks a bag. Probably because he uses part of his stipend from Shield to pay them back. Unfortunately, It lacks the space for a run. The sky is clear. There’s a little bit of a breeze. It’s a nice day. After the last few weeks he really feels like getting out. His selected park has a decent three mile loop that he can take a few laps around. On a day like today it's an easy choice.
Somewhere near the start of his second loop he slows his pace as he approaches a fellow runner. Usually he would just tell them he’s passing on their left and keep going. This runner even from behind looks familiar. As he pulls up alongside them he finds out he is correct. Colt Seavers just so happens to be here too.
How they keep accidentally meeting like this in a city so large is quite astonishing. An odd coincidence. Steve isn’t about to question the serendipity of it.
Even though they’ve only met a couple times, Steve finds he enjoys Colt’s character. He thinks Colt is a swell enough guy. Friendly and kind with a bit of a dangerous streak. Willing to put others before himself. A very giving sort. Brave as well. He’s also rather sly and witty from what Steve can tell. Overall Steve thinks they could get on great. It’s a welcome addition to his life at this point. Waking up 70 years in the future has been to some degree rather lonely. The majority of his interactions with agents, all very serious and impersonal. Colt is a breath of fresh air.
“How many miles you going for?” He asks. Colt doesn’t respond. That’s the moment he notices a couple cables coming down from his ears joining together to go to a strap on his arm. He must be quite in the zone if he didn’t notice Steve already. Steve reaches over and taps his bare shoulder.
Colt startles, trips. Instead of the expected face plant he manages to drop into a roll before standing back up and turning around. Steve stops, frankly impressed by the reaction time. In the process Colt’s earbuds had fallen from their home dangling off his arm. He gathers them back up as he turns around.
“Oh sh-” Colt cuts himself off before he can finish the word. “That was embarrassing,” he mutters.
Steve stifles a laugh. No need to pile on. He closes the gap between them and claps a hand on Colt’s shoulder.
“Sorry didn’t expect you to react like that,” Steve says. “Must be listening to something good.”
“Bon Jovi. Classic 80’s rock,” Colt responds as he pulls his MP3 player from the strap on his arm and presses a button.
“Can’t say I know him?” Steve isn’t sure if the assumption is right, but Colt doesn’t correct him so it must’ve been a good guess. Colt motions for him follow into the grass along the path so they aren’t blocking other people from passing. He holds out an ear bud for Steve.
Steve considers it for a moment before taking it. Colt places the other in his own ear and starts the song back over. It begins with an electric sounding keyboard shortly followed by a guitar and drums. It’s not something that Steve would typically listen to, though that’s not really saying much considering all his favorite music is several decades old now. Things have clearly changed a lot. Even this song is a couple decades old. It’s like an odd middle ground between what he’s used to and the new “pop” and “rock” that he’s heard more recently. He looks at the screen on Colt’s device to try and get a name so he can look it up later. “I’d Die For You”? Sounds morbid. His mind quickly changes on that. Oh, this is a love song.
Steve looks away from the screen to Colt. There’s a light sheen of sweat. His hair is messy, more than usual, tousled by the breeze. He’s well built, which should’ve been obvious based on how he essentially threw a guy last time they saw each other. Now it’s more exposed. His arms are bare as well as most of his legs. He can admit that Colt is conventionally attractive. That’s totally fine. Something about seeing him so bare makes Steve’s heart skip a beat. He can’t find the words to explain it. He looks away quickly as the song ends. Steve doesn’t know why, but he definitely doesn’t want to be caught staring.
He plucks the bud from his ear and hands it back. Colt wraps the cable around his device and pockets it.
“You wanna do a couple laps together?” Colt asks, not knowing that was Steve’s exact plan.
Steve nods. If he gets a bit distracted during the run that’s just for him to know and for Colt to never find out.
It’s chaos. The sky has opened up. Literally. Steve runs to start organizing the local law enforcement. He can’t afford to waste a second. That thought changes as he suddenly hears a familiar voice.
Colt.
Colt is a bit battered. Dirt and debris has stained his skin and clothing. He’s got a few scrapes. The worst is the sluggishly bleeding wound on his side. Thanks to the alien that he is currently trying to hold off from attacking the family behind him. Somewhere in the fight he must have managed to disarm the alien. The weapon it had been using now in his own hands.
Steve gathers all this information in less than a second. He watches as the alien manages to grab hold of its weapon. Colt holds his grip even as it starts bearing down on him, forcing him into a crouch. He’s straining hard, gritting his teeth. Before he can even think about it Steve rams into the alien with his shield. A few good hits and it’s down.
He turns around. The family that had been protected by Colt, already gone. Colt clutches his side. It's not a lot of blood. A surface level injury. The sight still makes Steve wince. The other scuffs and scrapes just add to his dismay.
Before he even has a chance to say anything Colt is urging him on, “Don’t worry about me. Go.”
“You… You’re,” Steve starts.
“You have a whole city to save,” Colt interrupts. “I’ll be fine.”
“After. I’ll find you. Stay safe,” Steve turns to run.
“You too,” Colt’s voice carries behind him as he goes.
The battle is a mess. They manage to win in the end. Even with that victory it feels like the start of something bigger. The sky opened up and brought with it a whole new threat. Something unprecedented.
Regardless, Steve's mind lingers on Colt.
When the situation settles he finds time to track Colt down. It's only been a single day, but he wants to get there before everything gets hectic again. Colt had apparently played hero a few more times during that fight and landed himself with an extended stay in the hospital. Steve can’t fault him for it. If anything it makes him admire Colt more.
On his way to the hospital he passes by a florist. It just feels right. He arrives with flowers in hand. He has to do little fighting to get his way into Colt’s room. Even if normally it would be reserved for family only. Colt is asleep. Probably for the best. He’s not sure if he’s ready to be around Colt hopped up on pain meds. He leaves the flowers, a vase of white hyacinths and pink tulips on the window sill. He’s not sure if flowers are something that Colt will appreciate, but they feel appropriate. From the little they’ve interacted he gets the feeling that Colt has a deep sensitive side underneath his rough and tumble exterior. Steve is definitely not analyzing him. It's just something he noticed.
On the way out he brushes some of Colt’s admittedly soft hair out of his face and says a quiet goodbye.
Colt’s recovery is short. He leaves the hospital with a relatively small list of injuries and instructions to come back to have some stitches removed in a few weeks. Production is slowed by the destruction of the city, but they manage to make some changes and rework some scenes to get back up and running. By that point a month has passed. The city is recovering as well. They have a few more shots left to do. After which Colt will have to return home to L.A.
He looks up at the tulip and hyacinth dangling from the sprinkler head of his hotel room. The flowers had been a pleasant surprise. No one had ever given him flowers before. He wanted to at least save a couple even if the rest died. The sprinkler was the only spot he could find to hang them to dry. Every day they remind him that he doesn’t have any way to contact Steve. He might return to L.A. and never hear from him again. That train of thought always brings a strange ache to his heart.
So far every encounter has been by chance. Colt wants that to change. Even if they have to interact at a distance, he wouldn’t mind. A phone call would still be better than sitting in this odd limbo. Never knowing if they’d ever interact again.
Luck must be on his side as they finally bump into each other days before he is supposed to head home. He’s at a coffee shop near a local soundstage. His right hand is full with a cardboard tray of four drinks. Somehow he ended up going on the run for the rest of the stunt team. As he turns to leave he almost walks directly into Steve Rodgers in all his glory. He manages not to crush the tray or spill anything thankfully.
“I was actually trying not to startle you this time,” Steve says. “You look good.”
He knows Steve is commenting on the lack of scrapes, bumps and bruises amongst other things, but Colt can’t resist an opening like that.
“If I look good, what does that make you? A Greek god?” Colt teases. Steve’s ears turn a slight pink. Colt can’t help the devilish grin that comes across his face at the sight.
They are interrupted by the barista calling out Steve’s order. As Steve goes to retrieve it Colt knows this is a now or never situation. He needs to shoot his shot. He sets the tray of drinks on the counter and asks the barista if he can borrow her marker. She looks at him confused and annoyed. He gives her a pleading look before she relents, handing it over.
He snatches Steve’s drink from his hand, causing a bewildered look to come across his face. On the cardboard cuff he writes his number before handing the drink back. Steve reads it, still looking rather puzzled before meeting Colt’s eyes. Colt grabs the tray off the counter and uses his free hand, gripping Steve's forearm, to lead him outside where it's a little less crowded.
“I like you,” Colt begins with a determined tone. He needs to say this all now before he chickens out. “Like more than friends. I’d like to spend more time with you, but I go back to L.A. in a couple days. So maybe if you feel the same, you could call me and maybe if you’re in the area we could meet up.”
Steve seems taken aback. Colt knows this all very forward of him. There’s a chance that Steve full on hates him for the confession. Steve is a man from a different time. One where it was far less common to be able to go outside the box of heteronormativity. Even without that it's totally possible that Steve doesn’t feel the same. If that is the case Colt can be fine just being friends. At least that’s what he tells himself. On the inside he might shatter, but he’s used to taping himself back together physically already. How hard could it be to do it emotionally? As long as Steve doesn’t just full on hate him or punch him right now it’ll be acceptable.
The silence is killing him.
When it's finally broken it feels like a weight has been lifted.
“Okay, I’ll call you,” Steve responds. He rips the sleeve of his cup and puts it in his pocket for safe keeping.
Colt releases a breath he didn’t even realize he had been holding. Colt looks at him incredulously. It's the exact outcome he had hoped for, but still unexpected. Steve's smile feels genuine. There’s no tension in the way he holds himself. Somehow Colt can just tell that this isn’t a lie. He can expect a call from Steve Rogers.
“Where ya headed, Doll?” Steve asks. Colt knows his face must be absolutely red. His brain freezes for a moment. When it comes back to life it feels like a CD skipping
“Oh…Back to set, gotta caffeinate the rest of the stunties. Ya, know?” Colt holds up the tray.
“Let me walk you?” Steve holds out his arm. Colt transitions the tray to his other hand and loops his arm into the gap.
Colt doesn’t want to leave anything else up to chance. Hopefully Steve agrees.